NOTICES AND ORDERS OF THE DAY

Items marked  are expected to be taken during the dinner adjournment.

THURSDAY 20TH MARCH

At eleven oclock

ROYAL ASSENT

Regional Assemblies (Preparations) BillHouse to be again in Committee [The Lord Rooker] [11th Report from the Delegated Powers Committee]

[At two oclock

Judgments]

At three oclock

*The Lord Pearson of RannochTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they support the grant of legal personality to the European Union, as proposed at the Convention on the future of Europe.

*The Lord Renton of Mount HarryTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they are finding any evidence of support for the establishment of elected regional assemblies in South and South East England.

*The Lord AhmedTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they will support the lifting of the suspension on Pakistan from the Commonwealth.

*The Baroness Miller of HendonTo ask Her Majestys Government what progress is being made on the introduction of the Universal Bank; and what the impact is expected to be on the future of the Post Office.

[It is expected that the Committee stage of the Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Bill will continue]

Apple and Pear Research Council (Dissolution) Order 2003The Lord Whitty to move, That the draft Order laid before the House on 25th February be approved. [12th Report from the Joint Committee]

Horticultural Development Council (Amendment) Order 2003The Lord Whitty to move, That the draft Order laid before the House on 25th February be approved. [12th Report from the Joint Committee]

MONDAY 24TH MARCH

*The Lord Morris of ManchesterTo ask Her Majestys Government what new help they are considering for Gulf War veterans with still undiagnosed illnesses and the dependants of those who have died from Gulf War illnesses since the conflict.

*The Lord BradshawTo ask Her Majestys Government what will be the competitive impact on rail freight in Great Britain of the implementation of the Working Time Directive later this year.

*The Baroness WalmsleyTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they have any plans to amend the remit of the Heavy Goods Operators Licence to enable overall traffic impact to be taken into consideration.

*The Baroness SharplesTo ask Her Majestys Government whether any 999 telephone calls are answered by a call centre in New Delhi.

London Local Authorities and Transport for London Bill [HL]Third Reading

Voting Age (Reduction to 16) Bill [HL]Third Reading [The Lord Lucas]

Local Authorities (Charges for Specified Welfare Services) (England) Regulations 2003The Lord Rooker to move, That the draft Regulations laid before the House on 4th March be approved. [12th Report from the Joint Committee]

Regulatory Reform (Housing Management Agreements)Order 2003The Lord Rooker to move, That the draft Regulatory Reform Order laid before the House on 24th February be approved. [13th Report from the Regulatory Reform Committee]

Regulatory Reform (Schemes under Section 129 of the Housing Act 1988) (England) Order 2003The Lord Rooker to move, That the draft Regulatory Reform Order laid before the House on 11th March be approved. [15th Report from the Regulatory Reform Committee]

Town and Country Planning (Electronic Communications) (England) Order 2003The Lord Rooker to move, That the draft Order laid before the House on 6th March be approved. [14th Report from the Joint Committee]

Paternity and Adoption Leave (Adoption from Overseas) Regulations 2003The Lord Sainsbury of Turville to move, That the draft Regulations laid before the House on 24th February be approved. [12th Report from the Joint Committee]

Employment Rights Act 1996 (Application of Section 80B to Adoptions from Overseas) Regulations 2003The Lord Sainsbury of Turville to move, That the draft Regulations laid before the House on 24th February be approved. [12th Report from the Joint Committee]

[It is expected that the Committee stage of the Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Bill will conclude]

TUESDAY 25TH MARCH

*The Baroness Gardner of ParkesTo ask Her Majestys Government when they will issue guidance to general practitioners, primary care trusts and other groups providing healthcare on dealing with MRSA (Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus) infection.

*The Lord MarlesfordTo ask Her Majestys Government what progress has been made with implementing section 39 of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997 concerning a central register; and whether they can now give a date when this register will be fully operational.

*The Lord Montagu of BeaulieuTo ask Her Majestys Government what action they are taking to reduce the number of dolphins and other cetaceans and aquatic birds illegally caught and killed during fishing operations in United Kingdom-controlled waters.

Code of Guidance on Sites of Special Scientific Interest: Encouraging positive partnershipsThe Lord Whitty to move, That the draft Code of Guidance laid before the House on 5th February be approved.

Code of Recommendations for the Welfare of Livestock: CattleThe Lord Whitty to move, That the draft Code of Recommendations laid before the House on 26th February be approved. [12th Report from the Joint Committee]

WEDNESDAY 26TH MARCH

*The Baroness Miller of Chilthorne DomerTo ask Her Majestys Government whether the resources allocated to the Are You Doing Your Bit Campaign are sufficient to inform consumers how they can reduce their impact on the environment and climate change and to fulfil the Governments policy of decoupling economic growth from environmental degradation.

*The Baroness BoothroydTo ask Her Majestys Government what plans they have for improving the pay, pension and service conditions of Gurkhas serving with British defence forces.

*The Lord Maginnis of DrumglassTo ask Her Majestys Government what contact they have had, directly or indirectly, during the past five years with Asil Nadir concerning criminal charges outstanding against him in the United Kingdom.

The Lord ChalfontTo call attention to the balance between national security and individual liberty in a democratic society; and to move for papers.

The Lord NorthbourneTo call attention to the role of parents in providing for the needs of the nations children in the 21st century and to the case for making available more encouragement and support for parents; and to move for papers.

Social Security (Contributions) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2003The Lord McIntosh of Haringey to move, That the draft Regulations laid before the House on 24th February be approved. [12th Report from the Joint Committee]

Social Security (Contributions) (Re-rating and National Insurance Funds Payments) Order 2003The Lord McIntosh of Haringey to move, That the draft Order laid before the House on 5th February be approved. [11th Report from the Joint Committee]

Child Benefit and Guardians Allowance (Decisions and Appeals) Regulations 2003The Baroness Hollis of Heigham to move, That the draft Regulations laid before the House on 5th March be approved.

THURSDAY 27TH MARCH

[At eleven oclock]

Courts Bill [HL]House to be again in Committee [The Lord Chancellor] [2nd Report from the Delegated Powers Committee]

At three oclock

*The Lord BlakerTo ask Her Majestys Government whether it is their policy that the suspension of Zimbabwe from the councils of the Commonwealth should be continued.

*The Lord Clinton-DavisTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they have any plans to establish a Human Rights Commission.

*The Lord Dormand of EasingtonTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they will recommend the establishment of a Select Committee to consider the future of the Monarchy.

[It is expected that the Committee stage of the Courts Bill will conclude]

Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 (Powers of Seizure) Order 2003The Lord Falconer of Thoroton to move, That the draft Order laid before the House on 24th February be approved. [12th Report from the Joint Committee]

Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 (Consequential and Incidental Provisions) Order 2003The Lord Filkin to move, That the draft Order laid before the House on 28th February be approved.

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2003The Lord Falconer of Thoroton to move, That the draft Order laid before the House on 25th February be approved. [12th Report from the Joint Committee]

MONDAY 31ST MARCH

*The Lord AddingtonTo ask Her Majestys Government what steps they are taking to ensure that primary care trusts, health authorities and National Health Service trusts promote and safeguard facilities for physical activity and sport.

*The Baroness NoakesTo ask Her Majestys Government why they will not publish the names of National Health Service trusts which have not met the single sex accommodation standards.

*The Lord Campbell of CroyTo ask Her Majestys Government what action they are taking to shorten hospital waiting lists and the waiting times for patients on those lists.

Sexual Offences Bill [HL]Committee [The Lord Falconer of Thoroton]

Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Procedure) Rules 2003The Baroness Scotland of Asthal to move, That the draft Rules laid before the House on 18th March be approved.

Asylum (Designated States) Order 2003The Lord Filkin to move, That the draft Order laid before the House on 11th February be approved. [11th Report from the Joint Committee]

TUESDAY 1ST APRIL

Representation of the People (Northern Ireland) (Variation of Specified Documents) Regulations 2003The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Williams of Mostyn) to move, That the draft Regulations laid before the House on 4th March be approved.

Local Elections (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) Order 2003The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Williams of Mostyn) to move, That the draft Order laid before the House on 4th March be approved. [14th Report from the Joint Committee]

Terrorism Act 2000 (Code of Practice on Video Recording of Interviews) (Northern Ireland) Order 2003The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Williams of Mostyn) to move, That the draft Order laid before the House on 12th March be approved. [14th Report from the Joint Committee]

[It is expected that the Committee stage of the Sexual Offences Bill will continue]

[It is expected that the Grand Committee on the Water Bill will continue at 3.30 pm in the Moses Room]

WEDNESDAY 2ND APRIL

*The Lord CobboldTo ask Her Majestys Government to what extent they are committed to the accession of Turkey as a full member of the European Union.

*The Lord Lamont of LerwickTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they intend to have further discussions with European Governments about the proposed European Arrest Warrant.

Harbours Bill [HL]Committee [The Lord Berkeley]

The Lord Thomas of GresfordTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they will review the law, practice and procedure of Public Interest Immunity in criminal cases.

THURSDAY 3RD APRIL

*The Earl of SandwichTo ask Her Majestys Government how they propose to ensure the security of humanitarian aid workers who operate in regions of Afghanistan outside the capital.

*The Baroness WilcoxTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they will publish a list of all signed Private Finance Initiative agreements.

[It is expected that the Second Reading of the Local Government Bill will continue]

The Lord Bishop of WinchesterTo ask Her Majestys Government what is their response both to the Final report of the United Nations Panel of Experts on the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources in the Democratic Republic of Congo and to recent events there.

[It is expected that the Grand Committee on the Water Bill will continue at 3.45 pm in the Moses Room]

FRIDAY 4TH APRIL

[At eleven oclock]

Farm Waste Grant (Nitrate Vulnerable Zones) (England) Scheme 2003The Lord Whitty to move, That the Scheme laid before the House on 10th March be approved. [14th Report from the Joint Committee]

Electricity and Gas (Energy Efficiency Obligations) (Amendment) Order 2003The Lord Whitty to move, That the draft Order laid before the House on 13th March be approved. [14th Report from the Joint Committee]

Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Modification) Order 2003The Lord Filkin to move, That the draft Order laid before the House on 12th March be approved.

General and Specialist Medical Practice (Education, Training and Qualifications) Order 2003The Baroness Andrews to move, That the draft Order laid before the House on 3rd March be approved. [13th Report from the Joint Committee]

The Lord Ashley of StokeTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they have any new proposals for dealing with methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in hospitals.

MONDAY 7TH APRIL

*The Baroness GaleTo ask Her Majestys Government what action they are taking to meet the specific needs of people who care for someone with Parkinsons disease.

The Lord FreemanTo ask Her Majestys Government whether progress to date with the efficient use of resources in East Africa arising from debt relief and increased direct overseas aid is satisfactory.

TUESDAY 8TH APRIL

The Lord Clement-JonesTo ask Her Majestys Government what arrangements are being put in place for commissioning specialised health services from April 2003.

WEDNESDAY 9TH APRIL

*The Baroness CoxTo ask Her Majestys Government what is their response to recent developments in Indonesia.

The Lord Bishop of OxfordTo call attention to the religious element in global terrorism and appropriate interfaith responses; and to move for papers. [Balloted Debate]

The Lord Forsyth of DrumleanTo call attention to the plight of Atlantic salmon; and to move for papers. [Balloted Debate]

Code of Practice on Time Off for Trade Union Duties and Activities 2003The Lord Davies of Oldham to move, That the draft Code of Practice laid before the House on 10th February be approved.

The Lord Hardy of WathTo ask Her Majestys Government what they are doing to develop clean coal technology and to maintain the mining engineering industry within the United Kingdom.

THURSDAY 10TH APRIL

[It is expected that the Grand Committee on the Water Bill will continue at 3.45 pm in the Moses Room]

NO DAY NAMED

PART I

The Lord BlakerTo ask Her Majestys Government what proposals they have for the future ownership and control of postal addressing.

The Lord BlakerTo ask Her Majestys Government what are their policies when faced with overwhelming humanitarian crises and massive violations of human rights in other countries.

The Lord MoynihanTo call attention to the state of the United Kingdoms relations with Cuba; and to move for papers.

The Lord PalmerTo call attention to the situation in the British countryside; and to move for papers.

The Lord BradshawTo call attention to the trends in the number of road deaths and casualties; and to move for papers.

The Lord BerkeleyTo ask Her Majestys Government whether the quality and effectiveness of the United Kingdoms railways are satisfactory.

The Baroness Scott of Needham MarketTo call attention to the state of the bus industry; and to move for papers.

The Baroness Finlay of LlandaffTo ask Her Majestys Government what action they are taking to tackle the threat that obesity poses to the health and well-being of the nation.

The Baroness NoakesTo ask Her Majestys Government whether the services available to patients with Motor Neurone Disease are adequate.

The Lord Lester of Herne HillTo call attention to the case for the abolition of the judicial functions of the House of Lords and the creation of separate Supreme and Constitutional Courts; and to move for papers.

The Baroness HooperTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they intend to review the implications of taxation on the preservation and conservation of the cultural heritage of the United Kingdom.

The Earl of OnslowTo call attention to the use of hydrogen-powered vehicles; and to move for papers.

The Lord LipseyTo ask Her Majestys Government what plans they have to fulfil their manifesto commitment to review the experience of new electoral systems and the Jenkins Report, with a view to assessing whether changes might be made to the electoral system for the House of Commons.

The Baroness HooperTo call attention to recent developments in Latin America; and to move for papers.

The Baroness MaddockTo call attention to the effects of poor housing on the health and well-being of the nation; and to move for papers.

The Viscount WaverleyTo call attention to the causes of terrorism; and to move for papers.

The Baroness GreengrossTo call attention to corporate social responsibility; and to move for papers.

The Baroness GreengrossTo call attention to womens health and the case for a lifecourse approach; and to move for papers.

The Baroness Miller of Chilthorne DomerTo ask Her Majestys Government what is their response to the Forum for the Future report Governments BusinessEnabling Corporate Sustainability.

The Lord AveburyTo call attention to homelessness and social deprivation of Gypsies and travellers; and to move for papers.

The Baroness CoxTo ask Her Majestys Government whether the staffing situation of the Defence Medical Services is satisfactory; and what is their view of the future of the Services.

The Baroness RawlingsTo ask Her Majestys Government what humanitarian assistance they have provided to people living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo during the last four years of civil war in that country.

The Lord Norton of LouthTo ask Her Majestys Government what steps they are taking to ensure the security of the ballot in elections held by postal voting.

The Baroness Masham of IltonTo ask Her Majestys Government what is being done to combat the spread of tuberculosis; and what facilities for treatment and after-care are available in the United Kingdom.

The Baroness WhitakerTo call attention to the developing countries in poverty which lack strong funding relationships with donor countries or international institutions; and to move for papers.

The Lord Norton of LouthTo call attention to the case for improving contact and understanding between the two Chambers of Parliament; and to move for papers.

The Lord AddingtonTo ask Her Majestys Government what measures are being taken to remove all barriers to literature for those who have difficulties accessing books in traditional print formats.

The Baroness Dean of Thornton-le-FyldeTo move, That this House takes note of the Pensions Green Paper Simplicity, Security and Choice: Working and Saving for Retirement.

The Lord Stoddart of SwindonTo ask Her Majestys Government how much money (a) they and (b) the European Union spend each year in the United Kingdom on information about the European Union, and how these sums of money are split between (i) schools, (ii) universities and other further educational establishments, and (iii) elsewhere.

The Lord Carlile of BerriewTo ask Her Majestys Government whether the way in which the courts deal with issues surrounding children who commit criminal offences and their families is satisfactory.

The Baroness Park of MonmouthTo ask Her Majestys Government what arrangements are in place for the reception of the United Kingdom passport holders from Zimbabwe who wish to stay in this country but have to prove they qualify for habitual residence.

The Baroness WilcoxTo ask Her Majestys Government what is their response to rising levels of personal debt and its social consequences.

The Lord Renfrew of KaimsthornTo ask Her Majestys Government what is their response to the All-Party Parliamentary Archaeology Group report The Current State of Archaeology in the United Kingdom.

The Lord BlackwellTo call attention to the proceedings of the European Constitutional Convention and the case for a referendum on any consequent treaty; and to move for papers.

The Earl HoweTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they believe that the Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive and the Food Supplements Directive pose a threat to the availability of natural health products currently on the United Kingdom market.

The Lord Rodgers of Quarry BankTo call attention to the relationship between Ministers and the judiciary; and to move for papers.

The Lord Campbell-SavoursTo ask Her Majestys Government what consideration is being given to economy, efficiency and effectiveness in teacher recruitment.

The Lord JoplingTo ask Her Majestys Government whether, following the Report from the Select Committee on the European Union, EUEffective in a crisis? (7th Report), they are content with the current capability of the civilian aspects of the European Security and Defence Policy.

PART II

MOTIONS FOR BALLOTED DEBATE

[Ballot on 30th March for debate on 21st May]

The Lord Campbell of CroyTo call attention to the functioning and effects of the Data Protection Act 1998; and to move for papers.

The Lord Alton of LiverpoolTo call attention to Her Majestys Governments policy on the policing of illegal drugs; and to move for papers.

The Lord DubsTo call attention to the contribution that renewable sources of energy should make to the United Kingdoms long term energy supply; and to move for papers.

The Earl of OnslowTo call attention to the method, existing since the beginning of this session of Parliament, for the replacement of hereditary peers; and to move for papers.

The Lord FearnTo call attention to the place of tourism in North West England; and to move for papers.

The Lord ReaTo call attention to the extent of drug treatment and rehabilitation services; and to move for papers.

PART III

SELECT COMMITTEE REPORTS

[The date in brackets is that on which the Report was published]

The Lord Smith of CliftonTo move, That this House takes note of the Report of the Select Committee on Animals in Scientific Procedures (HL Paper 150, Session 2001-02). [24th July 2002]

The Lord GrenfellTo move, That this House takes note of the Report of the European Union Committee on the Review of Scrutiny of European Legislation (First Report, HL Paper 15). [18th December 2002]

The Lord Scott of FoscoteTo move, That this House takes note of the Report of the European Union Committee on The Future Status of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights (6th Report, HL Paper 48). [4th February]

The Baroness Harris of RichmondTo move, That this House takes note of the Report of the European Union Committee on Europols Role in Fighting Crime (5th Report, HL Paper 43). [6th February]

The Lord PestonTo move, That this House takes note of the Report of the Select Committee on Economic Affairs on Globalisation (First Report, HL Paper 5-I). [17th January]

The Lord PestonTo move, That this House takes note of the Report of the Select Committee on Economic Affairs on The MPC and Recent Developments in Monetary Policy (2nd Report, HL Paper 66). [6th March]

The Lord Norton of LouthTo move, That this House takes note of the Report of the Select Committee on the Constitution on Devolution: Inter-Institutional Relations in the United Kingdom (2nd Report, HL Paper 28). [15th January]

The Lord RadiceTo move, That this House takes note of the Report of the European Union Committee on The Stability and Growth Pact (13th Report, HL Paper 72). [18th March]

The Baroness PrasharTo move, That this House takes note of the Report of the Joint Committee on Human Rights on The Case for a Human Rights Commission (6th Report, HL Paper 67). [19th March]

QUESTIONS FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

[Tabled on 19th March, or unanswered after 21 days]

[The Government department responsible for

answering each Question is shown in brackets]

24th February

The Lord Lester of Herne HillTo ask Her Majestys Government whether, as reported in the Guardian newspaper on 20th February, the European Commission has made an agreement with the United States government, binding on all British airlines with effect from 5th March, whereby personal information about all passengers flying to the United States will be disclosed to the United States customs, immigration and other agencies; if so, whether (a) the terms of the agreement contain safeguards matching European data protection laws; and (b) the agreement has been approved by Her Majestys Government or by the Council of Ministers. [LCD] (HL1822)

The Lord Renfrew of KaimsthornTo ask Her Majestys Government what measures they plan to implement, in the event of military intervention in Iraq, to prevent the looting of archaeological sites and museums and to safeguard the rich historic, archaeological and cultural heritage of Iraq. [FCO] (HL1826)

The Earl HoweTo ask Her Majestys Government what was the commencement date for the risk sharing scheme announced in February 2002 in respect of beta interferon and multiple sclerosis. [DoH] (HL1830)

The Earl HoweTo ask Her Majestys Government how many patients in England were on waiting lists for treatment with beta interferon for multiple sclerosis when the 2002 risk sharing scheme began. [DoH] (HL1831)

The Earl HoweTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they will publish a progress report on the implementation of the risk sharing scheme for beta interferon. [DoH] (HL1832)

The Earl HoweTo ask Her Majestys Government what guidance they have given to Patient Care Trusts to encourage them to implement the risk sharing scheme for beta interferon. [DoH] (HL1833)

25th February

The Lord RixTo ask Her Majestys Government what consideration they have given to the future funding of the Tizard Centre, University of Kent. [DoH] (HL1865)

The Lord Lester of Herne HillTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they are considering the possibility of introducing legislation to limit the role of the judiciary in interpreting the international human rights obligations by which the United Kingdom is bound. [LCD] (HL1867)

The Lord SkelmersdaleTo ask Her Majestys Government why the maximum levy on sheep and bovine animals slaughtered in (or sent out of) Northern Ireland as permitted under the Livestock Marketing Commission Act (Northern Ireland) 1967 was not increased in either the 1980s or 1990s, so resulting in the large percentage increases in the Livestock and Meat Commission (Maximum Levy) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 (S.I. 2003/20). [NIO] (HL1874)

26th February

The Lord Lester of Herne HillTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 25th February (WA 12-13), whether the courts have recognised the legitimacy of the principles stated in the second paragraph of the answer; and, if so, whether they will identify the reported cases in respect of each principle. [LCD] (HL1890)

The Lord Lester of Herne HillTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 25th February (WA 12-13), whether the reference to human rights law includes the obligations imposed upon the United Kingdom by international treaties other than the European Convention on Human Rights, including the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the United Nations Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Labour Organisation Conventions; and, if not, why not. [LCD] (HL1891)

The Lord Lester of Herne HillTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 25th February (WA 12-13), what criteria are used, in cases not involving the need to comply with human rights law, to decide whether there is legal need for legislation to authorise an extension of Ministers powers. [LCD] (HL1892)

The Lord Lester of Herne HillTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 25th February (WA 12-13), whether they consider that the common law principles of legality and legal certainty extend beyond circumstances where proposed action might substantially interfere with human rights; and, if so, what are those circumstances. [LCD] (HL1893)

The Lord Lester of Herne HillTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 25th February (WA 12-13), what were the instances during the past five years in which they decided that legislation was undesirable to authorise an extension of Ministers powers. [LCD] (HL1894)

The Lord Lester of Herne HillTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 25th February (WA 12-13), which powers of Ministers have been extended without legislative authority during the past five years. [LCD] (HL1895)

19th March

The Baroness Ramsay of CartvaleTo ask Her Majestys Government what plans they have to extend Armed Forces Pension Scheme attributable benefits to unmarried partners. (HL2215)

The Lord Morris of ManchesterTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the review by the Ministry of Defence of armed forces compensation arrangements, whether the standard of proof required to gain compensation for a medical condition caused or aggravated by military service is to change from reasonable doubt to balance of probabilities. (HL2216)

The Lord Morris of ManchesterTo ask Her Majestys Government what percentage of currently successful claims for compensation for a medical condition caused or aggravated by military service would fail if the standard of proof required were changed from reasonable doubt to balance of probabilities. (HL2217)

The Lord Morris of ManchesterTo ask Her Majestys Government what representations they have received from the ex-service community expressing concern about the proposal to change the standard of proof for compensation for a medical condition caused or aggravated by military service from reasonable doubt to balance of probabilities. (HL2218)

The Lord Morris of ManchesterTo ask Her Majestys Government whether the tribunal which applies the standard proof of reasonable doubt to compensation cases related to medical conditions caused or aggravated by military service is operating satisfactorily. (HL2219)

The Lord Morris of ManchesterTo ask Her Majestys Government what arrangements are in place to ensure that claims for compensation for medical conditions caused or aggravated by military service which are accepted by the Veterans Agency for War Pensions are also accepted by the Ministry of Defence; and whether such agreement between the two bodies is desirable. (HL2220)

The Lord Morris of ManchesterTo ask Her Majestys Government whether the disability awards given to ex-servicemen and women are commensurate with the levels of service given by those people in the course of their service careers. (HL2221)

The Lord HyltonTo ask Her Majestys Government what is their response to

(a) the Committee of the Regions opinion on the role of the regional and local authorities in European integration; and

(b) the resolution of the European Parliament of 14th January 2003 on the same subject. (HL2222)

The Lord HyltonTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they consider that the Committee of the Regions should be empowered to refer matters which may infringe the principle of subsidiarity to the European Court of Justice. (HL2223)

The Lord HyltonTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they consider that membership of the Committee of the Regions should be reviewed; and, if so, what improvements they would suggest. (HL2224)

The Lord Clement-JonesTo ask Her Majestys Government what is the legal or contractual basis for National Health Service general practitioners with the consent of their primary care trust entering into a reciprocal arrangement whereby they will not take on any patient from within their area who wishes to change general practitioners. (HL2225)

The Lord Faulkner of WorcesterTo ask Her Majestys Government why they have not yet published their regulatory impact assessment on the Health and Safety Commissions proposed Approved Code of Practice on Passive Smoking at Work; and when they intend to do so. (HL2226)

The Lord Faulkner of WorcesterTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they accept the estimate of the Health and Safety Commission that up to 2,340 lives a year could be saved by outlawing workplace smoking. (HL2227)

The Lord Faulkner of WorcesterTo ask Her Majestys Government what savings to government and business, including the National Health Service, could be made by a ban on smoking at work. (HL2228)

The Lord Faulkner of WorcesterTo ask Her Majestys Government when they intend to introduce an Approved Code of Practice on Passive Smoking at Work. (HL2229)

The Lord Alton of LiverpoolTo ask Her Majestys Government whether, in the light of the decision of the United States Senate to ban partial-birth abortion, they have any plans to prohibit abortion up to birth on the ground of disability. (HL2230)

The Earl of ShrewsburyTo ask Her Majestys Government how many self-contained air cartridge system air guns there are in circulation the United Kingdom. (HL2231)

The Earl of ShrewsburyTo ask Her Majestys Government whether it is their intention to ban all self-contained air cartridge system air guns. (HL2232)

The Earl of ShrewsburyTo ask Her Majestys Government whether in the event of a ban on self-contained air cartridge system air guns they would provide compensation to those persons affected. (HL2233)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Ashton of Upholland on 18th March (WA 22) concerning GCSE results in Hull, why grades A(star), A, B and C passes in 2001-02 are very much lower than the average in England; and what steps they are taking to improve the rate. (HL2234)

The Lord BerkeleyTo ask Her Majestys Government what is the cost of the proposed new junction layout for Junction 19 on the M1 motorway; what is the basis for demonstrating value for money for this scheme; how many minutes delay per annum they estimate the new layout will save; and what are the values of money per minute or delay saved used to assess the benefits, separately for (a) cars and (b) heavy goods vehicles. (HL2235)

The Lord BerkeleyTo ask Her Majestys Government why the Department for Transport allowed the Highways Agency to overspend its budget by £456 million; what were the reasons for the overspend; and what action they are taking to ensure that overspend by the Highways Agency does not occur again. (HL2236)

The Earl of ListowelTo ask Her Majestys Government how many meetings the Secretary of State for the Home Department has had with Ministerial colleagues in the last two years with regard to children and young people who sexually abuse; and what plans he has to hold such meetings in future. (HL2237)

The Earl of ListowelTo ask Her Majestys Government how many meetings the Secretary of State for the Health has had with Ministerial colleagues in the last two years with regard to children and young people who sexually abuse; and what plans he has to hold such meetings in future. (HL2238)

The Earl of ListowelTo ask Her Majestys Government what steps they are taking to develop a strategy to address the needs and risks associated with children who sexually abuse; and whether they will publish a timetable for action. (HL2239)

The Lord PattenTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they agree with the conclusion of the Strategy Unit in its report Life Satisfaction: the state of knowledge and implications for government, published in December 2002, that there is a case for state intervention to boost life satisfaction. (HL2240)

QUESTIONS FOR WRITTEN ANSWER AWAITING ANSWER

19th MARCH 2003

[Tabled on the dates shown]

[The Government department responsible for

answering each Question is shown in brackets]

24th February

The Lord Lester of Herne HillTo ask Her Majestys Government whether, as reported in the Guardian newspaper on 20th February, the European Commission has made an agreement with the United States government, binding on all British airlines with effect from 5th March, whereby personal information about all passengers flying to the United States will be disclosed to the United States customs, immigration and other agencies; if so, whether (a) the terms of the agreement contain safeguards matching European data protection laws; and (b) the agreement has been approved by Her Majestys Government or by the Council of Ministers. [LCD] (HL1822)

The Lord Renfrew of KaimsthornTo ask Her Majestys Government what measures they plan to implement, in the event of military intervention in Iraq, to prevent the looting of archaeological sites and museums and to safeguard the rich historic, archaeological and cultural heritage of Iraq. [FCO] (HL1826)

The Earl HoweTo ask Her Majestys Government what was the commencement date for the risk sharing scheme announced in February 2002 in respect of beta interferon and multiple sclerosis. [DoH] (HL1830)

The Earl HoweTo ask Her Majestys Government how many patients in England were on waiting lists for treatment with beta interferon for multiple sclerosis when the 2002 risk sharing scheme began. [DoH] (HL1831)

The Earl HoweTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they will publish a progress report on the implementation of the risk sharing scheme for beta interferon. [DoH] (HL1832)

The Earl HoweTo ask Her Majestys Government what guidance they have given to Patient Care Trusts to encourage them to implement the risk sharing scheme for beta interferon. [DoH] (HL1833)

25th February

The Lord RixTo ask Her Majestys Government what consideration they have given to the future funding of the Tizard Centre, University of Kent. [DoH] (HL1865)

The Lord Lester of Herne HillTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they are considering the possibility of introducing legislation to limit the role of the judiciary in interpreting the international human rights obligations by which the United Kingdom is bound. [LCD] (HL1867)

The Lord SkelmersdaleTo ask Her Majestys Government why the maximum levy on sheep and bovine animals slaughtered in (or sent out of) Northern Ireland as permitted under the Livestock Marketing Commission Act (Northern Ireland) 1967 was not increased in either the 1980s or 1990s, so resulting in the large percentage increases in the Livestock and Meat Commission (Maximum Levy) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 (S.I. 2003/20). [NIO] (HL1874)

26th February

The Lord Lester of Herne HillTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 25th February (WA 12-13), whether the courts have recognised the legitimacy of the principles stated in the second paragraph of the answer; and, if so, whether they will identify the reported cases in respect of each principle. [LCD] (HL1890)

The Lord Lester of Herne HillTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 25th February (WA 12-13), whether the reference to human rights law includes the obligations imposed upon the United Kingdom by international treaties other than the European Convention on Human Rights, including the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the United Nations Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Labour Organisation Conventions; and, if not, why not. [LCD] (HL1891)

The Lord Lester of Herne HillTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 25th February (WA 12-13), what criteria are used, in cases not involving the need to comply with human rights law, to decide whether there is legal need for legislation to authorise an extension of Ministers powers. [LCD] (HL1892)

The Lord Lester of Herne HillTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 25th February (WA 12-13), whether they consider that the common law principles of legality and legal certainty extend beyond circumstances where proposed action might substantially interfere with human rights; and, if so, what are those circumstances. [LCD] (HL1893)

The Lord Lester of Herne HillTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 25th February (WA 12-13), what were the instances during the past five years in which they decided that legislation was undesirable to authorise an extension of Ministers powers. [LCD] (HL1894)

The Lord Lester of Herne HillTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 25th February (WA 12-13), which powers of Ministers have been extended without legislative authority during the past five years. [LCD] (HL1895)

27th February

The Lord TebbitTo ask Her Majestys Government whether the pension of the Lord Chancellor will be based on the salary to which he is entitled or that which he currently chooses to accept. [CO] (HL1920)

The Lord HyltonTo ask Her Majestys Government whether the United Nations will

(a) appoint a Special Rapporteur to assess the human rights situation in Tibet; and

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government, in respect of (a) males, (b) females and (c) both sexes combined, what is the employment gap between Protestants and Roman Catholics in Northern Ireland. [NIO] (HL1963)

3rd March

The Lord DholakiaTo ask Her Majestys Government what are the principal steps which the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the Home Office, the Prison Service, the Youth Justice Board, the Department for Work and Pensions, Jobcentre Plus and the Learning and Skills Council have each taken over the last year to promote the resettlement of prisoners. [HO] (HL1982)

4th March

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 25th February (WA 22) concerning security vetting for Northern Ireland civil servants, whether all postholders on 12th December 2002 held valid security clearance. [NIO] (HL2016)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government what were the set-up costs of each of the North-South Implementation Bodies created as a result of the Belfast Agreement, including premises and furnishings. [NIO] (HL2020)

5th March

The Lord Alton of LiverpoolTo ask Her Majestys Government when was the Calthorpe Clinic in Edgbaston, Birmingham, last subject to inspection by the National Care Standards Commission; what was the result of this inspection; and whether recommendations made in the inspection report from the Commission have been acted upon. [DoH] (HL2032)

The Lord Corbett of Castle ValeTo ask Her Majestys Government on what date it is now proposed to publish the report of H M Inspector of Prisons on the most recent inspection of H M Prison Brixton. [HO] (HL2040)

6th March

The Lord Lester of Herne HillTo ask Her Majestys Government what are the principles of public international law that govern and prescribe the circumstances in which it would be lawful for the United Kingdom and its allies to launch military action against Iraq, and the manner in which such action should be taken. [FCO] (HL2053)

The Lord Lester of Herne HillTo ask Her Majestys Government whether the principles of international humanitarian law set forth in the Statute of the International Criminal Court would be binding upon the United Kingdom and its allies in the event of military action against Iraq; and, if not, which principles of international humanitarian law set forth in the Statute would be inapplicable. [FCO] (HL 2054)

The Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove BayTo ask Her Majestys Government how many taxpayers had taxable incomes of (a) £80,000-£100,000, (b) £100,001-£120,000 and (c) over £120,000 in (i) 2000-01 and (ii) 2001-02; and whether they will analyse the figures for each of these taxable income brackets for each of these years by sex and by year of birth from 1946 to 1961. [HMT] (HL2058)

The Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove BayTo ask Her Majestys Government what is their estimate, in respect of the most recent year for which figures are available, of how many members of Defined Benefit Pension Schemes retired with a starting pension of

(a) £50,000-£60,000;

(b) £60,001-£70,000;

(c) £70,001-£80,000;

(d) £80,001-£90,000;

(e) £90,001-£100,00; and

(f) over £100,000. [HMT] (HL2059)

The Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove BayTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they will estimate, under the present taxation arrangements and annuity rates, for

(a) a woman aged 60,

(b) a woman aged 65,

(c) a man aged 60, and

(d) a man aged 65

what starting pension could be purchased today with a capital lump sum of £1.4 million, less the maximum permissible lump sum allowed to be drawn tax-free on retirement today, working on the assumption that the starting pension can provide for a surviving spouse pension to be payable at half the rate of the person retiring today and with both pensions uprated annually in line with the Retail Price Index; and what annuity rates have been used in making these estimates. [HMT] (HL2060)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government what were the set up costs of the Central Secretariat for the North South Ministerial Council in Armagh including the cost of premises and furnishings. [NIO] (HL2062)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government how much was spent by the Central Secretariat for the North South Ministerial Council on travel and entertainment in the years 2001 and 2002. [NIO] (HL2063)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government what are the salary bands of the grades of those employed in the North South Ministerial Council Central Secretariat; and what was the total amount in expenses during the year 2002. [NIO] (HL2064)

7th March

The Lord Clement-JonesTo ask Her Majestys Government what recent representations they have received from individual companies, trade organisations, or consumer bodies about nutrients which are currently permitted for use in food supplements in the United Kingdom, but which are omitted from the lists of permitted nutrients set out in Annexes 1 and 2 of the Food Supplements Directive. [DoH] (HL2072)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they have any plans to bring the Ulster Scots language to stage three status of the Council of Europes Charter for Minority Languages; and, if so, what is the timetable. [NIO] (HL2075)

10th March

The Lord GreavesTo ask Her Majestys Government how many Iraqi nationals are legally resident in the United Kingdom; and how many of these are permanent residents, students, temporary visitors, asylum seekers and refugees, and diplomats. [HO] (HL2086)

The Lord GreavesTo ask Her Majestys Government what is their estimate of the number of Iraqi nationals who are resident without permission in the United Kingdom. [HO] (HL2087)

The Lord PattenTo ask Her Majestys Government how many beds there are in National Health Service hospitals in England; and how many administrators there are in the National Health Service in England. [DoH] (HL2093)

The Lord Beaumont of WhitleyTo ask Her Majestys Government how the £230 million transitional fund to allow the completion of housing schemes dependent on the Local Authority Social Housing Grant was calculated; whether they are confident that it is adequate; whether it is ring-fenced; and why they will not defer abolition of the grant to April 2004, when capital receipts will be pooled. [ODPM] (HL2094)

The Lord Beaumont of WhitleyTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Blackstone on 6th December 2001 (WA 158), what steps they have now taken to amend the government indemnity scheme on works of art. [DCMS] (HL2096)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government how much the North South Ministerial Secretariat in Armagh has spent on public relations and public affairs in each of the years 2000, 2001 and 2002; and who has been responsible for delivering that service. [NIO] (HL2097)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government who has been appointed to the North South Implementation Bodies set up after the Belfast Agreement; and for what period. [NIO] (HL2098)

The Earl HoweTo ask Her Majestys Government whether the use of human diploid cells originating from human aborted foetal tissue as a medium for vaccines is subject to donor consent; how much such tissue is used in this way each year; and what commercial arrangements exist between the National Health Service and pharmaceutical companies to facilitate its availability for this use. [DoH] (HL2100)

The Lord TurnbergTo ask Her Majestys Government what are the implications for United Kingdom relations with The Gambia of decisions to be taken by the Medical Research Council about its major Unit in that country. [FCO] (HL2101)

The Lord TurnbergTo ask Her Majestys Government what is the nature and extent of the build up of arms, including short and medium range rockets, in Southern Lebanon. [FCO] (HL2102)

11th March

The Lord Harris of HaringeyTo ask Her Majestys Government whether the arrangements for tendering via Job Centre Plus for European Social Fund Objective 3 Co-Financing in respect of capacity building are satisfactory. [DWP] (HL2108)

The Lord Harris of HaringeyTo ask Her Majestys Government how many tenders for European Social Fund Objective 3 Co-Financing in respect of capacity building have been rejected on the basis that

(a) answers to each question exceeded one page of A4 paper;

(b) the layout of the application was altered; or

(c) the font size for both questions and answers was smaller than 12 point. [DWP] (HL2109)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government what percentage of funds for capital projects, authorised by Waterways Ireland, in the years 2000, 2001 and 2002 was spent in Northern Ireland; and what percentage in the Republic of Ireland. [NIO] (HL2110)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government what percentage of the budget for Waterways Ireland was provided by the government of the Irish Republic in the years 2000, 2001and 2002. [NIO] (HL2111)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 10th March (WA 162-63) concerning North South Implementation Bodies budgets, who agreed, and when, the recommended allocations for 2003; and on what basis. [NIO] (HL2112)

The Lord Pilkington of OxenfordTo ask Her Majestys Government on what criteria they expect universities to give preference to applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds; and how the information on the basis of which these criteria apply is to be ascertained. [DfES] (HL2113)

The Lord Beaumont of WhitleyTo ask Her Majestys Government whether the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has expressed support for an amendment to the Sexual Offences Bill so that it applies in its entirety to Northern Ireland. [NIO] (HL2118)

The Lord Beaumont of WhitleyTo ask Her Majestys Government what representations they have received seeking a review of the law on sexual offences in Northern Ireland; and what representations they have received favouring the extension of the Sexual Offences Bill in its entirety to Northern Ireland. [NIO] (HL2119)

The Lord Beaumont of WhitleyTo ask Her Majestys Government what significant differences there are in the laws governing homosexual offences in Northern Ireland, and England and Wales. [NIO] (HL2120)

The Lord Beaumont of WhitleyTo ask Her Majestys Government whether the Sexual Offences Bill will be compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights and its case law if Northern Ireland is not included in those provisions relating to homosexuals. [NIO] (HL2121)

The Lord Beaumont of WhitleyTo ask Her Majestys Government what was the result of the equality impact assessment under section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 on the decision not to include Northern Ireland in those parts of the Sexual Offences Bill designed to bring about legal equality as between homosexual and heterosexual offences. [NIO] (HL2122)

The Lord Watson of RichmondTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they will advise Her Majesty The Queen to withdraw the honorary knighthood conferred on President Mugabe. [FCO] (HL2123)

The Earl of NortheskTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answers by the Lord Sainsbury of Turville on 11th March (HL 1851) and 19th November 2001 (WA 115), how they explain that, whereas previously they defined broadband by reference to a minimum downstream speed of 384 kbit/s, no such minimum now exists in their definition. [DTI] (HL2124)

The Earl of NortheskTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Sainsbury of Turville on 11th March (HL 1851), which statement of minimum data transfer speed should be relied on as their definition of broadband, 384 kbit/s (WA 115, 19th November 2001), 512 kbit/s (WA 77, 4th November 2002), or no specified minimum (HL 1851, 11th March). [DTI] (HL2125)

12th March

The Baroness Miller of Chilthorne DomerTo ask Her Majestys Government whether the work commissioned by the GM Public Debate Steering Group on

(a) toolkit of stimulus material;

(b) organisation of the regional workshops; and

(c) evaluation of the outcomes;

were put out to tender; what the specifications for the contract were; and how many bodies bid for the tender. [DEFRA] (HL2129)

The Baroness Miller of Chilthorne DomerTo ask Her Majestys Government how the outcome of the GM Public Debate will be evaluated; and whether the methods suggested will be an accurate measure of public opinion. [DEFRA] (HL2130)

The Lord Clement-JonesTo ask Her Majestys Government how many cases of transfusion-related acute lung injury in the past five years have been caused by fresh frozen plasma. [DoH] (HL2131)

The Lord Clement-JonesTo ask Her Majestys Government why, when there is transfusion plasma currently available in the United Kingdom to the National Health Service which is licensed in the United Kingdom and sourced in the United States, the National Blood Service continues to provide patients with United Kingdom-sourced fresh frozen plasma which has not been virally inactivated. [DoH] (HL2132)

The Lord Clement-JonesTo ask Her Majestys Government, in the light of the move announced on 12th February towards providing haemophiliacs with safer clotting factors, why they intend to continue to supply United Kingdom-sourced plasma, which carries the risk of vCJD, to transfusion patients born before 1996. [DoH] (HL2133)

The Lord Clement-JonesTo ask Her Majestys Government why, when there is transfusion plasma currently available in the United Kingdom which is licensed in the United Kingdom and sourced in the United States, the National Blood Service is still unable to implement its recommendation to provide the majority of patients born after 1st January 1996 with United States-sourced, virally inactivated fresh frozen plasma. [DoH] (HL2134)

The Lord Clement-JonesTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they or the National Blood Service have provided financial settlement in any case of transfusion-related acute lung injury; and, if so, what level of settlement has been made. [DoH] (HL2135)

The Lord Clement-JonesTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they have assessed the cost of possible compensation claims from transfusion-related acute lung injury; and how they plan to budget for this. [DoH] (HL2136)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government when the North South Ministerial Council received copies of the Business Plans for the Implementation Bodies; when they were supplied to the appropriate departments; and which are these departments. [NIO] (HL2137)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government whether it is their policy to discourage smoking amongst Northern Ireland civil servants; how many special smoking chambers there are in their premises in the Province; and whether they have plans to reduce that number. [NIO] (HL2138)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 6th February (WA 42), what equality schemes or arrangements apply to the functions of North South Implementation Bodies in the Republic of Ireland; how are they divided for those working on both sides of the border; and whether the Irish arrangements are to the same standard as those in the United Kingdom. [NIO] (HL2139)

The Earl of NortheskTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Sainsbury of Turville on 11th March (WA 179), how that answer relates to the commitment to deliver broadband technology that will allow internet access at 10 times the present speed across the European Union by 2005, as outlined in the Statement on the European Council in Barcelona by the Prime Minister on 18th March 2002. [DTI] (HL2140)

The Earl of NortheskTo ask Her Majestys Government what data transfer speed, expressed in terms of kbit/second, forms the basis for the commitment, outlined in the Statement on the European Council in Barcelona by the Prime Minister on 18th March 2002, to deliver broadband technology that will allow internet access at 10 times the present speed across the European Union by 2005. [DTI] (HL2141)

13th March

The Lord TomlinsonTo ask Her Majestys Government whether a prime contractor has been selected for the assessment phase of the Future Integrated Soldier Technology (FIST) programme. [MoD] (HL2142)

The Lord TomlinsonTo ask Her Majestys Government whether a preferred bidder has been selected for the Armada Private Finance Initiative project at Her Majestys Naval Base Devonport. [MoD] (HL2143)

The Lord MitchellTo ask Her Majestys Government what further plans they have for contingency planning for possible military action against Iraq. [MoD] (HL2144)

The Lord AveburyTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bassam of Brighton on 19th October 1999 (WA 108), whether they will publish a table to show how many foreign nationals were in prison in England and Wales at the latest convenient date. [HO] (HL2145)

The Lord Alton of LiverpoolTo ask Her Majestys Government how many pregnancies arising out of licensed fertility treatment have been selectively terminated in each of the last five years; at what stage of gestation was each pregnancy terminated; and on what ground of the Abortion Act 1967 (as amended) was each abortion performed. [DoH] (HL2146)

The Lord RoganTo ask Her Majestys Government how many application forms for Northern Ireland Electoral Identity Cards have been returned to applicants for correction; and how many of these have subsequently been re-submitted for processing. [NIO] (HL2147)

The Earl of SandwichTo ask Her Majestys Government what will be the United Kingdoms participation in the Joint Regional Teams in Afghanistan; what forces will be committed; and what are the teams objectives. [FCO] (HL2148)

The Earl of SandwichTo ask Her Majestys Government how they respond to the concerns of non-governmental organisations in Afghanistan about the precise role of the Joint Regional Teams; whether soldiers in uniform are to carry out humanitarian aid and reconstruction work; and how this will affect the status of non-governmental organisations in the communities concerned. [FCO] (HL2149)

The Lord ColwynTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Hayman on 31st July 1998 (WA 262), what is the total amount of funds allocated to Investing in Dentistry so far; and which health authority areas have applied for funding each year from 1999-2000 to date. [DoH] (HL2150)

The Lord ColwynTo ask Her Majestys Government which applications for funding under Investing in Dentistry have been successful this year; and how much has been allocated to each. [DoH] (HL2151)

The Lord MarlesfordTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they will arrange for the litter to be removed from the verges of the M11 motorway between the A406 and the M25; and whether they will take steps to keep this section of the road clean in the future. [DfT] (HL2154)

The Lord MarlesfordTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Whitty on 22nd May 2002 (WA 104), whether they will update the information in that answer, in the same format, showing the number of cases of BSE confirmed in Britain each week since 10th May 2002, together with the moving annual total of cases for each 52-week period. [DEFRA] (HL2155)

The Lord MarlesfordTo ask Her Majestys Government when they expect to complete their consideration of the implications of changing the system of game licences. [DEFRA] (HL2156)

The Lord MarlesfordTo ask Her Majestys Government on what statistical basis they believe that if the price of a game licence had kept pace with inflation it would cost about £2,000 rather than £6. [DEFRA] (HL2157)

The Lord MarlesfordTo ask Her Majestys Government whether immigration officers at points of entry into the United Kingdom have the facility to check on-line the validity of British passports presented by persons leaving or arriving; and how long after the reporting in any part of the world of a lost or stolen British passport this information is available to immigration officers at points of entry into the United Kingdom. [HO] (HL2158)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 11th March (WA 168) concerning underspend from the Northern Ireland Departments for the year 2001-02, in respect of each Department, how much of that underspend has been transferred into 2002-03. [NIO] (HL2159)

The Lord VivianTo ask Her Majestys Government how long after the recruitment to the services of Her Majestys Armed Forces a new recruit begins training; and how many recruits currently have been waiting longer than three months to begin their training. [MoD] (HL2160)

The Lord VivianTo ask Her Majestys Government how the 33 Titan bridgelayer vehicles, ordered by the Ministry of Defence, will be allocated to the armoured regiments. [MoD] (HL2161)

The Lord VivianTo ask Her Majestys Government what is their response to the report, published by the Defence Analytical Services Agency in June 2002, on the Armys future manpower requirement. [MoD] (HL2162)

The Lord VivianTo ask Her Majestys Government what plans they have to accommodate press teams and television networks in any forthcoming conflict in the Gulf. [MoD] (HL2163)

The Lord VivianTo ask Her Majestys Government, in the event of a further firefighters strike, how many troops will be required for Operation Fresco; and whether this will interfere with any plans to deploy additional troops for the purpose of guarding Iraqi prisoners of war. [MoD] (HL2164)

14th March

The Lord FreybergTo ask Her Majestys Government how many designers are members of the Chief Executive Advisory Group of the Office of Government Commerce; and whether there are any plans to appoint a designer as a member of the Executive Board of the Office of Government Commerce. [HMT] (HL2168)

The Lord ChanTo ask Her Majestys Government which specific activities they are funding through the Chinese Ministry of Health. [DfID] (HL2169)

The Lord ChanTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they will consider diverting funding to China from abortion towards other health care needs. [DfID] (HL2170)

17th March

The Baroness Ramsay of CartvaleTo ask Her Majestys Government why the Attorney General of the Cayman Islands has departed. [FCO] (HL2174)

The Earl of CaithnessTo ask Her Majestys Government what powers and functions which the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister currently exercises will be transferred to the proposed Regional Assemblies. [ODPM] (HL2176)

The Earl of CaithnessTo ask Her Majestys Government what powers and functions which the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs currently exercises will be transferred to the proposed Regional Assemblies. [DEFRA] (HL2177)

The Lord Clement-JonesTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 27th February (WA 57-58), what authority will the National Health Service Purchasing and Supply Agency have to require laboratories to purchase from contracted suppliers when it becomes responsible for the bulk procurement contracts of the Public Health Laboratory. [DoH] (HL2178)

The Lord HyltonTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they will study the recent judgment in the Argentine of Judge J J Galeano concerning the bombings of Jewish and Israeli buildings in Buenos Aires in 1992 and 1994, to establish whether they throw light on the bombing of the Israeli Embassy in London in July 1994 and possible miscarriages of justice arising out of that violence. [HO] (HL2179)

The Lord Lester of Herne HillTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 17th March (HL 1923), whether any Home Office civil servant or special adviser provided information to the Daily Mail about Mr Justice Collins or his decisions. [HO] (HL2180)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 12th March (WA 185) concerning the Belfast Agreement of 1998, whether both governments will ensure equality of treatment to all groups. [NIO] (HL2181)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 12th March (WA 185), whether the Republic of Ireland civil servants working in Northern Ireland take an oath of allegiance to the Irish State. [NIO] (HL2182)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they will consider de-rating the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Loyal Orange Lodge and Gaelic Athletic Association premises as a method of supporting rural community development in Northern Ireland. [NIO] (HL2183)

The Baroness GaleTo ask Her Majestys Government what consideration they have given, during their discussions with the hospitality industry about the introduction of a public places charter on passive smoking, to any evidence on the effectiveness or otherwise of the protection given against the health hazards of second-hand smoke by ventilation and air cleaning. [DoH] (HL2184)

The Baroness Scott of Needham MarketTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they will publish updated values of sensitive lorry miles to be used in the calculation of rail freight grants. [DfT] (HL2185)

The Baroness Scott of Needham MarketTo ask Her Majestys Government what was the budget available for new freight facilities grants and new track access grants in 2002-03; and what was the total value of the awards made in this period under each scheme for England. [DfT] (HL2186)

The Baroness Scott of Needham MarketTo ask Her Majestys Government what is the budget available in England for new freight facilities grants and new track access grants in (a) 2003-04 and (b) 2004-05. [DfT] (HL2187)

The Baroness Scott of Needham MarketTo ask Her Majestys Government what is the estimated total expenditure on freight facilities grants and on track access grants in 2002-03 in England. [DfT] (HL2188)

The Baroness Scott of Needham MarketTo ask Her Majestys Government what is the anticipated expenditure on existing committed freight facilities grants and existing committed track access grants in each of the years 2003-04 and 2004-05 for England. [DfT] (HL2189)

The Baroness Scott of Needham MarketTo ask Her Majestys Government how many staff are employed in the following organisations

(a) Strategic Rail Authority;

(b) Office of the Rail Regulator;

(c) Health and Safety Executive (Railways); and

(d) Railway Safety Ltd. [DfT] (HL2190)

The Lord PattenTo ask Her Majestys Government whether, following the report of the Strategy Unit Life Satisfaction: the state of knowledge and implications for government published in December 2002, they have now adopted a policy definition of Life Satisfaction. [CO] (HL2191)

The Lord JuddTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bach on 13th March (WA 194-196), what is their assessment of the consequences for enemy forces and civilian populations of the deployment and use of depleted uranium munitions; what are the implications in terms of the conventions of war to which the United Kingdom is party; and whether they will now undertake an urgent review of policy on their use. [MoD] (HL2192)

19th March

The Lord EltonTo ask Her Majestys Government

(a) when Cabinet Office vehicles were converted to use both petrol and liquid petroleum gas;

(b) what was the cost of the conversion for each type of vehicle;

(c) how much of each type of fuel has since been used by converted vehicles; and

(d) what has been the average cost per mile of the fuel used by each type of vehicle before and after conversion. [CO] (HL2195)

The Lord HyltonTo ask Her Majestys Government what were the main results of the recent Small Arms Conference, jointly sponsored by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Department for International Development and Ministry of Defence; and why there was no agreed communiqué. [FCO] (HL2196)

The Lord HyltonTo ask Her Majestys Government what is the budgeted expenditure of the Defence Export Services Organisation for the current and coming financial years; who heads the organisation; and whether they will list its priority markets. [MoD] (HL2197)

The Lord HyltonTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they will agree with the British Representatives to the European Convention that

(a) the new treaty should enhance the powers of the committee of the regions and give stronger recognition to the regional and local dimensions of Europe; and

(b) the new treaty should contain positive and negative mechanisms enabling national Parliaments to uphold subsidiarity. [FCO] (HL2198)

The Lord HyltonTo ask Her Majestys Government why an official British delegation, including the Lord Bach from the Ministry of Defence and a member of the Royal Family, was present at a recent Defence Fair in Amman, Jordan. [MoD] (HL2199)

The Lord HyltonTo ask Her Majestys Government whether any of the following companies and individuals have been responsible, since January 1991, for supplying weapons, directly or indirectly, to the Iraqi Government:

The Lord HyltonTo ask Her Majestys Government whether, in view of the risks to witnesses and war-crimes prosecutions, they have discussed with the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo the theft on 4th January of computer records from the Centre for the Protection of Women and Children in Pristina, Kosovo; and if not, whether they will now do so. [FCO] (HL2201)

The Lord FearnTo ask Her Majestys Government whether any of the British Tourist Authoritys offices abroad are to be closed this year; how many, if any, are planned to be opened in the next two years; and in which countries. [DCMS] (HL2202)

The Lord FearnTo ask Her Majestys Government what liaison there is between the Regional Development Agencies and the Regional Tourist Boards on

(a) tourism; and

(b) heritage. [DCMS] (HL2203)

The Lord FearnTo ask Her Majestys Government which areas of England have Objective One status and funding; and in which year this funding expires in each area. [DTI] (HL2204)

The Lord FearnTo ask Her Majestys Government what improvement grants are now available to small hotels and boarding houses. [ODPM] (HL2205)

The Lord FearnTo ask Her Majestys Government what start-up help and funding are available to small new businesses wishing to enter

(a) the tourism market; and

(b) the leisure industry. [DCMS] (HL2206)

The Baroness Masham of IltonTo ask Her Majestys Government what bodies can undertake a risk assessment of farm work liable to be undertaken by a pregnant shepherdess who cannot handle ewes and lambs due to risks of infection. [DWP] (HL2207)

The Baroness Scott of Needham MarketTo ask Her Majestys Government how many staff were employed in British Rails headquarters for the years 1990 to 1993. [DfT] (HL2208)

The Baroness ByfordTo ask Her Majestys Government how much poultry meat has been imported from Brazil in each of the last four years

(a) in tonnage; and

(b) in value. [DEFRA] (HL2209)

The Baroness ByfordTo ask Her Majestys Government what was the value of exports to Brazil in each of the last four years of

(a) luxury goods; and

(b) all others. [DTI] (HL2210)

The Baroness ByfordTo ask Her Majestys Government why the Crown Prosecution Service has only prosecuted three people caught importing illegal meat products; and whether they consider this a reasonable proportion of the 2000 seizures (amounting to 27,000 kilograms) in 2002. [LSLO] (HL2211)

The Baroness ByfordTo ask Her Majestys Government what system will be made available to farmers and others from 1st May 2003 for the disposal of fallen stock. [DEFRA] (HL2212)

The Viscount SimonTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they will make the issue of a driving licence conditional on the driver wearing prescription glasses if an eye test shows that to be necessary; and whether this requirement should be spelt out on the licence. [DfT] (HL2213)

The Lord MarlesfordTo ask the Chairman of Committees whether it is possible to prevent demonstrators from using amplifiers to convey their views in the close vicinity of the Palace of Westminster when Parliament is sitting. [CoC] (HL2214)

19th March

The Baroness Ramsay of CartvaleTo ask Her Majestys Government what plans they have to extend Armed Forces Pension Scheme attributable benefits to unmarried partners. (HL2215)

The Lord Morris of ManchesterTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the review by the Ministry of Defence of armed forces compensation arrangements, whether the standard of proof required to gain compensation for a medical condition caused or aggravated by military service is to change from reasonable doubt to balance of probabilities. (HL2216)

The Lord Morris of ManchesterTo ask Her Majestys Government what percentage of currently successful claims for compensation for a medical condition caused or aggravated by military service would fail if the standard of proof required were changed from reasonable doubt to balance of probabilities. (HL2217)

The Lord Morris of ManchesterTo ask Her Majestys Government what representations they have received from the ex-service community expressing concern about the proposal to change the standard of proof for compensation for a medical condition caused or aggravated by military service from reasonable doubt to balance of probabilities. (HL2218)

The Lord Morris of ManchesterTo ask Her Majestys Government whether the tribunal which applies the standard proof of reasonable doubt to compensation cases related to medical conditions caused or aggravated by military service is operating satisfactorily. (HL2219)

The Lord Morris of ManchesterTo ask Her Majestys Government what arrangements are in place to ensure that claims for compensation for medical conditions caused or aggravated by military service which are accepted by the Veterans Agency for War Pensions are also accepted by the Ministry of Defence; and whether such agreement between the two bodies is desirable. (HL2220)

The Lord Morris of ManchesterTo ask Her Majestys Government whether the disability awards given to ex-servicemen and women are commensurate with the levels of service given by those people in the course of their service careers. (HL2221)

The Lord HyltonTo ask Her Majestys Government what is their response to

(a) the Committee of the Regions opinion on the role of the regional and local authorities in European integration; and

(b) the resolution of the European Parliament of 14th January 2003 on the same subject. (HL2222)

The Lord HyltonTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they consider that the Committee of the Regions should be empowered to refer matters which may infringe the principle of subsidiarity to the European Court of Justice. (HL2223)

The Lord HyltonTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they consider that membership of the Committee of the Regions should be reviewed; and, if so, what improvements they would suggest. (HL2224)

The Lord Clement-JonesTo ask Her Majestys Government what is the legal or contractual basis for National Health Service general practitioners with the consent of their primary care trust entering into a reciprocal arrangement whereby they will not take on any patient from within their area who wishes to change general practitioners. (HL2225)

The Lord Faulkner of WorcesterTo ask Her Majestys Government why they have not yet published their regulatory impact assessment on the Health and Safety Commissions proposed Approved Code of Practice on Passive Smoking at Work; and when they intend to do so. (HL2226)

The Lord Faulkner of WorcesterTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they accept the estimate of the Health and Safety Commission that up to 2,340 lives a year could be saved by outlawing workplace smoking. (HL2227)

The Lord Faulkner of WorcesterTo ask Her Majestys Government what savings to government and business, including the National Health Service, could be made by a ban on smoking at work. (HL2228)

The Lord Faulkner of WorcesterTo ask Her Majestys Government when they intend to introduce an Approved Code of Practice on Passive Smoking at Work. (HL2229)

The Lord Alton of LiverpoolTo ask Her Majestys Government whether, in the light of the decision of the United States Senate to ban partial-birth abortion, they have any plans to prohibit abortion up to birth on the ground of disability. (HL2230)

The Earl of ShrewsburyTo ask Her Majestys Government how many self-contained air cartridge system air guns there are in circulation the United Kingdom. (HL2231)

The Earl of ShrewsburyTo ask Her Majestys Government whether it is their intention to ban all self-contained air cartridge system air guns. (HL2232)

The Earl of ShrewsburyTo ask Her Majestys Government whether in the event of a ban on self-contained air cartridge system air guns they would provide compensation to those persons affected. (HL2233)

The Lord LairdTo ask Her Majestys Government, further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Ashton of Upholland on 18th March (WA 22) concerning GCSE results in Hull, why grades A(star), A, B and C passes in 2001-02 are very much lower than the average in England; and what steps they are taking to improve the rate. (HL2234)

The Lord BerkeleyTo ask Her Majestys Government what is the cost of the proposed new junction layout for Junction 19 on the M1 motorway; what is the basis for demonstrating value for money for this scheme; how many minutes delay per annum they estimate the new layout will save; and what are the values of money per minute or delay saved used to assess the benefits, separately for (a) cars and (b) heavy goods vehicles. (HL2235)

The Lord BerkeleyTo ask Her Majestys Government why the Department for Transport allowed the Highways Agency to overspend its budget by £456 million; what were the reasons for the overspend; and what action they are taking to ensure that overspend by the Highways Agency does not occur again. (HL2236)

The Earl of ListowelTo ask Her Majestys Government how many meetings the Secretary of State for the Home Department has had with Ministerial colleagues in the last two years with regard to children and young people who sexually abuse; and what plans he has to hold such meetings in future. (HL2237)

The Earl of ListowelTo ask Her Majestys Government how many meetings the Secretary of State for the Health has had with Ministerial colleagues in the last two years with regard to children and young people who sexually abuse; and what plans he has to hold such meetings in future. (HL2238)

The Earl of ListowelTo ask Her Majestys Government what steps they are taking to develop a strategy to address the needs and risks associated with children who sexually abuse; and whether they will publish a timetable for action. (HL2239)

The Lord PattenTo ask Her Majestys Government whether they agree with the conclusion of the Strategy Unit in its report Life Satisfaction: the state of knowledge and implications for government, published in December 2002, that there is a case for state intervention to boost life satisfaction. (HL2240)

BILLS IN PROGRESS

[The date in square brackets is the date for which the bill is set down]

Waiting for Second Reading

European Union (Implications of Withdrawal) [HL]

Greater London Authority Act 1999 (Repeal) [HL]

House of Lords (Amendment) [HL]

Patient (Assisted Dying) [HL]

Communications [25th March]

Local Government [3rd April]

Prevention of Driving under the Influence of Drugs [HL] [4th April]

Hereford Markets [HL]

Committed to an Unopposed Bill Committee

Nottingham City Council [HL]

Committed to a Grand Committee

Water [HL] [27th March]

Committed to a Committee of the Whole House

Courts [HL] [27th March]

Regional Assemblies (Preparations) [19th March]

Road Traffic (Amendment) [HL]

Harbours [HL] [2nd April]

Wild Mammals (Protection) (Amendment) (No. 2) [HL]

Ministerial and other Salaries (Amendment) [HL]

Sexual Offences [HL] [31st March]

Patients Protection [HL]

Waiting for Report

European Parliament (Representation) [27th March]

Equality [HL] [4th April]

Electricity (Miscellaneous Provisions) [3rd April]

Waiting for Third Reading

Voting Age (Reduction to 16) [HL] [24th March]

Health (Wales) (25th March)

Public Services (Disruption) [HL]

London Local Authorities and Transport for London [HL] [24th March]

London Local Authorities [HL]

Sent to the Commons

National Minimum Wage (Enforcement Notices) [HL]

Police (Northern Ireland) [HL]

Arms Control and Disarmament (Inspections) [HL]

Waste and Emissions Trading [HL]

High Hedges [HL]

Licensing [HL]

Crime (International Co-operation) [HL]

Returned to the Commons amended

Community Care (Delayed Discharges etc.)

Waiting for Royal Assent

Consolidated Fund (No. 2)

Northern Ireland Assembly Elections

AFFIRMATIVE INSTRUMENTS IN PROGRESS

Waiting for consideration by the Joint Committee

Draft Code of Practice on Time Off for Trade Union Duties and Activities

Draft Representation of the People (Northern Ireland) (Variation of Specified Documents) Regulations 2003

Draft Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Modification) Order 2003

Draft Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Procedure) Rules 2003

Waiting for Affirmative Resolution

Draft Code of Guidance on Sites of Special Scientific Interest: Encouraging positive partnerships

Draft Social Security (Contributions) (Re-rating and National Insurance Funds Payments) Order 2003